The National Security Authority (‘the Office’) shall issue, for access to NATO classified information, CONFIDENTIAL and above, a CERTIFICATE in accordance with the model set out in NATO Directive AC/35-D/2000-REV8, which replaced the model certificate set out in document AC/34-D/2000-REV6. Therefore, the above-mentioned Certificate for access to NATO classified information is issued in place of the NATO certificate originally required. However, this change does not affect the validity of previously issued certificates. 

The new regulation of NATO directives in the field of general protection of classified information and in the field of personnel security also implies the need for the holder of the above-mentioned Certificate certifying the legitimacy of access to NATO classified information (or a certificate still in force) to be all persons who, in the context of their duties, urgently need to have access to classified information at the level of NATO CONFIDENTIAL and above (the so-called ‘need to know’ principle). The above-mentioned NATO Directive also provides for the issuance of Certificates for special areas of access to NATO information, which are the information of the categories ATOMAL, CRYPTO and BOHEMIA.

For better orientation, the term “NATO certificate” continues to be used in the text.

Model application for a "NATO certificate" - here

When does the Office issue a "NATO certificate"?

  • if a natural person is to have access to NATO classified information, if he fulfils the conditions under Section 11 of the ActIf so requested by NATO.
  • if it is in accordance with the security and economic interests of the Czech Republic and with the obligations arising for the Czech Republic from an international agreement and if the person is not subject to proceedings under Section 101(1) of the Act
  • "NATO certificate" confirms that a natural person holds a valid certificate of a natural person of a given degree at national level
  • the exception consists of persons referred to in Section 58(6) of the Act - the President of the Republic, deputies and senators of the Parliament, members of the Government and judges in cases where classified information of a foreign power is handled, who must be informed of the rights and obligations in the field of protection of classified information of a foreign power before first access to classified information of a foreign power. In criminal proceedings, jurors adjudicating in cases where classified information of a foreign power is handled, the accused, the person involved, the injured party, their legal representative, guardian, agent, confidant, lawyer, expert and interpreter shall also have access to classified information of a foreign power, subject to the prior consent of the foreign power, to the extent necessary for the exercise of their rights and the fulfilment of their obligations in such proceedings. Prior to first access to classified information of a foreign power in proceedings, the persons referred to in the previous sentence shall be informed of the rights and obligations in the field of protection of classified information of a foreign power. These individuals have access to NATO classified information without holding a valid natural person certificate or "NATO certificate"
  • "NATO certificate" can be issued on the basis of a written Reasoned request, which can be submitted at the same time as the application for the issuance of the certificate of a natural person, during the security procedure and after the issuance of the public document – model application - here
  • NATO SECRET CRYPTO certificate, COSMIC TOP SECRET CRYPTO certificate can only be issued on the basis of a written reasoned request - application template - here. This application must be accompanied by a Document of Authorisation issued by the Ministry of Defence. The NATO SECRET CRYPTO, COSMIC TOP SECRET CRYPTO certificate is issued for a limited period of time, i.e. for the time when it is strictly necessary to have access to NATO SECRET CRYPTO, COSMIC TOP SECRET CRYPTO classified information
  • the deadline for processing the application for the issue of a certificate is not laid down by law
  • similar treatment shall be given to access to NATO classified information at the level of BOHEMIA.

Types of "NATO certificates" issued by the Office

NATO CONFIDENTIAL NATO SECRET COSMIC TOP SECRET
- NATO SECRET ATOMAL COSMIC TOP SECRET ATOMAL
- NATO SECRET CRYPTO COSMIC TOP SECRET CRYPTO
- NATO SECRET BOHEMIA COSMIC TOP SECRET BOHEMIA

"NATO certificates" shall not be issued at the security classification level Reserved.

Note: For the purposes of the institutions of the European Union, no special document is issued, it is fully replaced by a ‘national’ certificate issued by a natural person pursuant to Act No 412/2005, which is trilingual and bears the appropriate classification level of European Union classified information.

  • Validity and expiry of the 'NATO Certificate': here
  • Obligations of a natural person who holds a "NATO certificate" - here